Infidelity

Every country has its culture, every country has its way of doing things, sexually.

Money corrupts many things, perhaps fixes others.

In this country, temporary companionship is available in various forms.  Meet a girl in a club, and she'll ask you to dance.  It's not that you're cute and she's forward, girls aren't normally forward in this culture.  It means later on she'll ask if you want to go somewhere with her for fifty bucks.  Or you can go to a different kind of dance club, where the girls and the poles wrap around each other, costumes and shows and nudity, expensive drinks traded for having one of them sit by you, and once again you'll be asked if you would like to go somewhere with her for perhaps eighty bucks. Or if you feel you need a break, lay down and have a massage.  Perhaps when it's over you'll be asked if you would like a special massage for twenty bucks or a really special one for fifty.

If you like what you've paid for in the short term, you can have it for longer.  Pretend it's a one night stand.  Or go all the way and pay for her to take the next couple of days off of work.  Pay the employer a fee for losing the employee, cover her wages for the day, and anything she wants.  A more expensive girlfriend experience, with a girlfriend that wants to go out for the good life with you as long as you can afford it.

It could be looked at cynically, or it could be looked at as a win-win situation.  Do you have money, but you're lonely?  Someone can help with that.

The stories told could be real, half true, or completely made up.  There's a son or daughter staying with their grandparents while their mother does what she has to do.

A 7-11 cashier here makes $220 a month.  A month.

Learn to give a massage, and your wage is a bit higher.  Work at the right place, provide some extra services, and suddenly you have enough to travel home and see your kids.  Perhaps a lonely tourist comes along and wants to wine and dine you for a week.  He gives you a week's wage every day, plus buys you nice things and takes you out.

The good life.

Your sister is even luckier, married to a man from Bahrain who provides her with a house and whatever else... your nephew is provided for, and perhaps you will visit them one day after a few more tourists come your way.

You speak French, Thai, English, and a smattering of Russian, German, and whatever else you need.  An education has taken you a long way.

One day, if your wishes are granted, you'll be married too, married to a man who will take care of you.

....

The many sides of the same coin.  Is it tarnished?  Does it shine?

It doesn't matter.  When this one falls to the ground, another will be launched into the air.

How can I say what is good or bad?

It is what it is, whatever that is, whatever...